How did I get this parking citation?

[hdeck]

So I received an e-mail this morning saying I owed $25 for a parking citation at a University of Texas Parking Lot. Sounds normal,right? The only problem is I don't have a car, have never had a car, have never driven a car in Austin, and have never had a car registered in my name.

On top of that, the e-mail states that I received the citation in June 2002 and not only that, apparently I appealed the f)cking thing! Moreover, the citation was sent to my current address (address of an apartment complex, they didn't give me the number). Only problem with that is in 2002 I didn't even live here.

Thanks to this thing, I can't register for classes or graduate until it's paid. And their appeal process is the worst piece of crap I've ever seen!

Cliffs:
1. Got parking citation in June '02
2. Don't own a car????
3. Appealed citation from address I didn't live at
4. Had citation reduced through appeal somehow
5. Found out about JUNE 2002 CITATION THIS MORNING

 

[wfbberzerker]

why would they send it by e-mail and not actually mail it to you?

 

[Saint Nick]

tell the police, tell the campus security. bring paperwork to prove it (or lack thereof!) since you didn't own a vehicle. they should wipe it clean.

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
why would they send it by e-mail and not actually mail it to you?

i'm also wondering the same.

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: jndietz
tell the police, tell the campus security. bring paperwork to prove it (or lack thereof!) since you didn't own a vehicle. they should wipe it clean.

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
why would they send it by e-mail and not actually mail it to you?

i'm also wondering the same.

Yep. Quit bitching to us and bitch to someone on campus and be forceful about it if they don't respond.

 

[hdeck]

Maybe I wasn't clear. They mailed the citation out in 2002 to some person, that person mailed it back with an appeal and had the fine reduced. and TODAY I'm getting the email about it.

And pardon me if I want to get something off my f(cking chest. I've already called them and bitched, but thanks for your lack of input.

 

[flyingboujanero]

Do you have a common name? Was the email address your school email address? It could just be a simple mistake

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Originally posted by: flyingboujanero
Do you have a common name? Was the email address your school email address? It could just be a simple mistake

Pretty much sounds liek that or it's some kind of a joke.

 

[Kalbi]

Since when does parking enforcement take your email address?

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: flyingboujanero
Do you have a common name? Was the email address your school email address? It could just be a simple mistake

i am the only person at the school with this last name (at a school with 30000+ students). The PTS office is being no help at all and they said because this person already appealed the citation, that all I can do is e-mail back. No telling how long this could take.

 

[Toasthead]

you better pay it....or they will throw you in JAIL!

 

[oboeguy]

University red tape is the worst. Good luck, hdeck! (and ignore trolls, it's better for your health)

 

[flyingboujanero]

Best thing to do might be to pay the $25 bucks, so that you can register and all, then fight it. Worse comes to worse, you're only out $25 bucks.

 

[habib89]

did you complain about the hold on your registration? that's messed up if they dont' lift it in time for you to register for your classes... did the previous guy have the same last name as you? similar? it's wierd that it's to your apartment AND your email.. one or the other, but not both.. that'd be some kinda crazy coincidence

 

[MisfitsFiend]

University red tape is the worst. Good luck, hdeck! (and ignore trolls, it's better for your health)

That's the truth! I've been disputing a charge from campus billing for over a year now. Everytime I think I get somewhere, it seems like some idiot brings it back to square one. Do you have an ombudsperson you could contact? That's what I did and it has helped tremendously! They agree with me, and are trying to get all parties to be on the same page (doesn't help that I am dealing with med insurance and university hosp billing)

 

[George P Burdell]

1. STFU
2. Go to the Dean of Students' office
3. Explain how you're being harassed, and ask them to remove the hold from your registration while this mess is being sorted out.
4. Profit?

edit: from http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/faq.php

To whom should I complain about a problem I am having with UT-Austin?
Students may call the Ombudsman's Office for help with any University-related complaints. The Ombudsman may be reached at (512) 471-3825.

 

[Zee]

Or just throw it out

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Zee
Or just throw it out

The anandtech population grows more and more stupid every day.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: hdeck
Maybe I wasn't clear. They mailed the citation out in 2002 to some person, that person mailed it back with an appeal and had the fine reduced. and TODAY I'm getting the email about it.

And pardon me if I want to get something off my f(cking chest. I've already called them and bitched, but thanks for your lack of input.

So you tried to register today and the system wouldn't let you?

 

[vrbaba]

why? call up registrar... or parking and tell them wht u told us...
how can they not remove it when u didnt even live there or own a car. they should have a car license number on record. and should be a piece of cake if u just go there.
whts the problem here?

 

[Reel]

See if you can make a big public deal out of it. Use this as an opportunity to write a column about the ineptiude of the university and then you can get people talking. It would make you feel better at least.

 

[Boxxcar]

Ever hear of the statute of limitations. Do some homework. Check out if this type of debt falls under your state's statute of limitations. If this was a citation dated from 2002 and you're just now receiving it, you may have the law on your side. Any type of violation such as this could be null and void after two years of the date of the infraction. Especially if this is the first you've heard of it.